Li Yuan looked at the messages in the fan group chat and felt his scalp tingle. The group members were all influential big shots, and there were surely others like Little Fish.
This situation is bound to expose my real identity sooner or later. However, it doesn’t really matter. It just means my life won’t be peaceful anymore. This is an all-subscriber group, and these readers are my bread and butter, so I can’t just ignore them.
He replied in the group, "I’m a new author who just started university. I’m about to have freshman military training, so my schedule is pretty tight, but I’ll do my best to find time to write."
"As for the extra Chapters for the Alliance Hierarch tier and other donations, I’ll release them based on my availability. Please have mercy, big shots! *BowingAndBegging.jpg*"
"As for an offline meetup, you might have to wait a little longer. I’m currently discussing a simplified Chinese publication with the operators of Yuandian Web. There might be an offline book signing event after some time, and then I can meet everyone..."
The moment Li Yuan sent the message, the fan group exploded. In just over ten seconds, hundreds of new messages popped up.
DesperateForRecs: "Xia Hua is awesome! You’re getting published and going the physical book route? You have to announce the offline release event in the group. I want to be there for the meetup!"
WarmSunAfterTheStorm: "I just found out something huge! Xia Hua is a first-year university student in Modu! I’m in Modu too! @Life Like Summer Flowers, send your location, I’ll come find you."
EternalBlackMamba: "Xia Hua is incredible! I’m also a student in Modu. I wonder if we’re at the same school. I’ll give a hint about myself—I’m at a Project 985 university in Modu."
SilentReader: "@EternalBlackMamba, damn, bro, you’re a top student from a 985 university? What year are you in? What’s your major?"
EternalBlackMamba: "What, are you trying to dox me? If Xia Hua asks, I can tell him in a private message!"
***
After chatting for a while, Li Yuan felt his scalp tingle again. The world is so big, yet sometimes it feels so small. In this era where doxxing is commonplace, finding a netizen isn’t that difficult. If I reveal any more information, my fans might actually discover my real-life identity.
As for the physical publication of ’Battle Starry Sky,’ contact had been made via Yuandian Web, and the first part was being prepared for printing, currently undergoing meticulous revisions and typesetting. In the past two months alone, he had written a million words, which was enough for several volumes.
The physical books were designed to be exquisite, mainly for collection purposes. If it were formally published, the copyright fees and sales shares could earn him several million. If sales were good, tens of millions weren’t out of the question.
In his previous life, this book had brought Potato hundreds of millions in revenue. It was a true goose that laid golden eggs, and its average subscriptions were still climbing steadily. It was a pity there was no anti-piracy system yet; otherwise, it would have already reached one hundred thousand average subscriptions.
Even so, because of the earlier surge of releases, the number of paid VIP Chapters kept growing, and his income was gradually increasing. His royalties for September were expected to be around 2 million.
The disposable cash he had on hand had already reached over 18 million, which was more than enough capital to start a business.
***
After chatting with his fans, Li Yuan replied to a few more messages and then scrolled through QQ to his high school class group chat. Since everyone had just arrived at university, they were all eager to share novel things about campus life in the group.
Xu Zhi: "Hey guys and gals, military training starts tomorrow. Any tips?"
Wang Shuai: "I think the girls should prepare plenty of sunscreen. It’s pretty hot all over the country right now, and it’s easy to get sunburned during training."
Xu Zhi: "What about the guys? Yuchen and I walked around the campus today, and this Modu weather is just brutal. Even though it’s not one of the ’Four Furnaces,’ it feels pretty close."
Dong Yuqiu: "Heh, do you have any idea how hot Jianye is in September? The outdoor temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius. You could fry an egg on the pavement. Your Modu is much better."
Xu Beibei: "Don’t even start. I was an idiot and applied to a medical university in Shancheng. It’s even hotter here, over 40 degrees every day. I can’t even go outside except to eat. The dorms don’t have AC, and we’re not allowed to use high-power appliances. It’s unlivable!"
Xu Zhi: "@Life Like Summer Flowers, Li Yuan, where have you been the last few days? Yuchen, Wang Shuai, and I wanted to hang out, but you kept saying you were busy. Busy making money with your business?"
Wang Yuchen, who had been lurking, suddenly posted a cryptic message: "Hmph, maybe someone is busy wooing a senior from the university. @Mr_Fickle."
Wang Shuai asked curiously, "Ooh, is there some juicy gossip? I have a feeling our classmate Wang Yuchen is talking about someone in our class."
Wang Yuchen: "Some people should take responsibility for their actions. If you don’t love her, then let her go. Why bother clinging shamelessly, even going to the same university just to put on a show of devotion? Who are you trying to fool?"
Wang Shuai posted a large question mark emoji and replied, "The same university? In our class, I think that’s just you, Xu Zhi, and Yuan... @Xu Zhi, is Yuchen talking about you? No way! You just got to university and you’re already going after a senior?"
Xu Zhi quickly clarified, "@SlightlyHandsome, Wang Shuai, don’t you dare accuse me wrongly! I swear by the sun and moon, my heart belongs to Yuchen alone. I’ll love only her for the rest of my life. How could I possibly be unfaithful?"